The widow of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane has said it is “time for truth” after the British government confirmed there is to be an independent public inquiry into his death.
Geraldine Finucane was speaking after Secretary of State Hilary Benn confirmed the Labour government had taken the “exceptional” decision to hold an independent inquiry.
Mr Finucane (39) was shot dead in front of his wife and three children by the UDA/UFF at his family home in north Belfast in February 1989.
In 2012, former Prime Minister David Cameron apologised after a report by Desmond de Silva found there was collusion in the case.
Since his murder Mr Finucane’s family has fought for an independent public inquiry to uncover the scale of security force collusion in the murder, which is one of the most notorious killings carried out during the Troubles.
In 2019 the UK Supreme Court ruled that investigations into the killing have not been effective and fell short of international human rights standards.
In July this year the Court of Appeal in Belfast gave the London government three weeks to confirm how it would carry out an investigation into the killing that was compliant with Article Two of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to life.
Just last week the court extended the timeline by three weeks.
Mr Finucane’s widow Geraldine and other family members, including his son John Finucane, who is a Sinn Féin MP for North Belfast, met with Mr Benn on Tuesday.
Mrs Finucane on Wednesday night said “an independent, statutory public inquiry is and was the only way to bring the whole truth behind the murder of Pat Finucane into the light of day”.
“If a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane can finally publicly examine all of the collusion that plagued our society for so many years, then there is hope that the real process of healing can begin,” she said.
Mrs Finucane said it is " high time” her husband’s case was “properly investigated, publicly examined, and finally resolved”.
“I believe that my family deserve this after so many years,” she said.
“Pat Finucane deserves this after so many years.
“Society as a whole deserves this, after so many years.
“After 35 years of cover-ups, it is time for truth.”
Speaking at the dispatch box at Westminster on Wednesday, Mr Benn outlined the background to the Finucane case and said the British government “takes its human rights obligations - and its responsibilities to victims and survivors of the Troubles - extremely seriously”.
“And the plain fact is that two decades on, the commitment made by the government – first in an agreement with the Irish government, and then to this House - to establish an inquiry into the death of Mr Finucane remains unfulfilled,” he said.
“It is for this exceptional reason that I have decided to establish an independent inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane under the 2005 Inquiries Act.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris welcomed the decision.
“This is the beginning of a process and it will be important that, as details are confirmed, there is confidence that it can meet the standards and independence thresholds essential to an inquiry of this nature,” he said.
“I want to acknowledge the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State Hilary Benn in coming to this decision.
Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill paid tribute to the Finucane family.
“The Finucane family’s determination and dignity throughout 35 years of the most difficult of campaigning has brought about this landmark day,” she posted on X.
“Their campaign has been an inspiration to all families struggling for truth and justice.
“I will continue to support the Finucane family as they continue on their journey towards truth and justice for Pat.
South Belfast MP Claire Hanna, who is expected to be confirmed as the SDLP’s next leader next month, said the murder of Mr Finucane “remains one of the most devastating killings of the troubles and is marred in collusion”.
“Today is about the tenacity of the Finucane family, including my constituency neighbour John, but has resonance for all those involved with the legacy process - the needs of victims and survivors must take precedent over the needs of victim makers, who wish the past to remain covered up,” she said.
Alliance MLA and Policing Board member Nuala McAllister said: “A public inquiry was always necessary in this case, given the serious public interest issues involved and the UK Government’s acceptance that collusion played a part.”
Paul O’Connor from the Pat Finucane Centre, which is named after the murdered solicitor, said the inquiry “is the only mechanism that can provide for the type of inquiry necessary when state agents murder citizens”.
Lawyer Kevin Winters added: “The perseverance of the Finucane family chimes with legal lessons in perseverance I learned from Pat before the state took him out.”
